Better Man (Robbie Williams song)

"Better Man" is a song by English pop singer Robbie Williams, released as the final single from his third studio album, Sing When You're Winning (2000), in October 2001. It was released only in Australia, New Zealand and Latin America. A music video for the Australian release was produced in 2001, reusing scenes from Williams' "Eternity" music video (since the single was not released in that territory), intercut with a live performance of "Better Man" from his The Sermon on the Mount Tour in Manchester, England, in October 2000, overdubbed with the studio version. The song's title would later go on to serve as the title of Williams' 2024 biopic.

"Better Man"
Single by Robbie Williams
from the album Sing When You're Winning
B-side	"My Way" (live) "Rolling Stone" "Toxic"
Released	22 October 2001 (2001-10-22)
Studio	Master Rock (North London, England) Sarm Hook End (Reading, England)
Length	3:22
Label	EMI, Chrysalis
Songwriter(s)	Guy Chambers, Robbie Williams
Producer(s)	Guy Chambers, Steve Power
Robbie Williams singles chronology
"Eternity" / "The Road to Mandalay" (2001) "Better Man" (2001) "Somethin' Stupid" (2001)
Audio video
"Better Man" on YouTube

Spanish version

Robbie Williams recorded a Spanish version of the song called "Ser mejor" ("To Be Better"). It was included on the Latin American pressings of Sing When You're Winning.^[1]

Release and success

In New Zealand, "Better Man" began receiving airplay in late 2000. It eventually peaked at number four on the RIANZ Singles Chart for four weeks in December 2000 and January 2001.^[2] The promotional disc of "Ser mejor" was sent to Latin American radio stations in 2001.^[3] In Australia, "Better Man" was released as a CD single on 22 October 2001.^[4] It appeared on the ARIA Singles Chart the following week, climbing to number eight during its ninth week on the chart and reaching its peak of number six on 20 January 2002, spending four nonconsecutive weeks at that position and remaining in the top 50 for 29 weeks.^[5] It sold over 35,000 copies, earning a gold certification from the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA).^[6]

Track listing

Australian CD single^[5]

1. "Better Man" – 3:24
2. "My Way" (live) – 4:35
3. "Rolling Stone" – 3:43
4. "Toxic" – 3:51
5. "Let Love Be Your Energy" (video) – 4:18

Credits and personnel

Credits are taken from the Sing When You're Winning album booklet.^[7]

Studios

• Recorded at Master Rock Studios (North London, England) and Sarm Hook End (Reading, England)
• Mixed at Battery Studios (London, England)
• Mastered at Metropolis Mastering (London, England)

Personnel

• Robbie Williams – writing, lead vocals
• Guy Chambers – writing, piano, orchestration, production, arrangement
• Dave Catlin-Birch – backing vocals, bass guitar
• Steve McEwan – backing vocals
• Gary Nuttall – backing vocals
• Phil Palmer – 12-string guitar
• Neil Taylor – electric guitars
• Chris Sharrock – drums
• Andy Duncan – percussion
• The London Session Orchestra – orchestra
• Gavyn Wright – concertmaster
• Nick Ingman – orchestration
• Isobel Griffiths – orchestral contractor
• Steve Price – orchestral engineering
• Steve Power – production, mixing, Pro Tools
• Richard Flack – Pro Tools
• Tony Cousins – mastering

Charts

Weekly charts Chart (2000–2002) Peak position Australia (ARIA)[5] 6 New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[2] 4

Year-end charts Chart (2000) Position Taiwan (Hito Radio)[8] 31 Chart (2001) Position Australia (ARIA)[9] 94 Taiwan (Hito Radio)[10] 25 Chart (2002) Position Australia (ARIA)[11] 31

Certifications and sales

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[6]	Gold	35,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.